204 



AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



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address all combiunications to 

 Meg Merrythought 

 156 Water viLLE St., Waterbury, Ct. 



My Dear Young Folks: 



Can yon tell why we find so few sign of bird-life in our August 

 rambles? 



The Goldfinches are still busy with family cares, for they waited for 

 the thistles to ripen for the silken lining of down for the cup which 

 holds their babies. 



The Red-eyed Vireo still preaches among the treetops, and the In- 

 digo Bunting — a delight to the eye — merrily warbles from the highest 

 branch all through the sultry August days. But many of the other 

 birds seem to shun the haunts of men, hiding quietly in retired places. 

 Now they are changing their coats for the second time this year, put- 

 ting on the more sober colors which serve as a protection from danger; 

 perhaps they are ashamed of their raggeddy gowns, and then, too, the 

 tattered plumage makes flying long distances difficult. 



You are doubtless having good times this long vacation, and will 

 write to this corner about that part of it which you spend with the birds. 



Cordially, Your Friend, 



Meg Merrythought. 



ROLL OF HONOR. 



Carl Ph Dowell, Port Richmond, N. Y., Huldah Chase Smith, Pro- 

 vidance, R. I. 



